The Second Hand Man
December 16th, 1994

Good news! In fact, fantastic bloody news!

The meeting with Steve went well! He has decided to accept my offer tocome work for me. In fact, he even mentioned that he, being highly impressedwith Global’s track record, had been planning on contacting me for the verysame purpose.

I would never have guessed!

I’ve killed two birds with one stone.

I’ve spared Steve the fate of meeting, and therefore marrying, thebeautiful harpy. And secondly, I’ve made the first steps towards befriendingSteve and thereby ensuring the construction of the Consciousness Projector.

The main difference with this timeline is the fact that Global has beenwell-established for a number of years now. So the partnership that weoriginally had isn’t necessary.

Although, depending on how matters develop, I will probably offer him agood-sized chunk of company shares at some future date.

It was strange seeing him after the passing of so many years, and yet heis much younger than the last time I had seen him.

That was on the night of August 17th, 2014 when he had strapped me downand slid me into the womb of the Consciousness Projector.

His was the last human face that I had gazed upon in that first lifetime.He had smiled to put me at ease, but his eyes could not conceal his concern anddespondency.

I was lucky to have known such a good man.

It’s gonna be wonderful having my once, only true and trusted, bestfriend back again.